Planning commission backs rezone and general-plan change for 539 S. 400 E., citing tenant protections

The Salt Lake City Planning Commission on Dec. 15 recommended that City Council approve a general-plan amendment and zoning-map change for three parcels near 539 South 400 East, forwarding staff’s recommendation for a five‑story, mixed‑use development that would replace three single‑family homes.

Principal planner Olivia Svetko told the commission the proposal would change the central community plan designation from medium‑high‑density residential to high‑density mixed‑use and rezone the parcels from RMF‑45 to MU‑5. "Staff is recommending that planning commission forward a positive recommendation to city council on both items," she said, noting MU‑5 allows ground‑floor commercial, carries a 55‑foot height limit and does not impose a per‑building unit cap.

The applicant, Russ Paulson, described the site context, ownership of the adjacent Citizen…